Device for cleaning

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner has a nozzle (N) connected to suction tubing (T) which passes air flow produced by suction from a central unit with a motor pump (M) that sucks air through the nozzle (N) and tubing (T). A portion of the air flow comes from ambient atmosphere (A) through a separate aperature (W) and passes by an ionization electrode (IP) and is directed onto the surface to be cleaned (SC) where dust particles have their electrical charge neutralized by the ionized air flow.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device which can be used for cleaning,especially to remove dust. A typical application of this invention forcleaning is a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

A vacuum cleaner is frequently used to remove dust. The main parts of avacuum cleaner and its functions are as follows: a flow of air isproduced through the vacuum cleaner, and this flow of air is sucked intoa dust bag and suction tubing and also through a nozzle and blown outthrough an exhaust duct that may have one or more filters for theexhaust air.

It is easy to remove impurities of relatively great size with a vacuumcleaner, but small sized dust particles firstly stick to the surface tobe cleaned because of the static electricity and secondly penetrate thefilters for the exhaust air.

The present invention addresses the weaknesses of the present technologyand provides for overcoming the static electric charges of the smallsized dust particles.

The invention can be realized as e.g. a vacuum cleaner, which carefullyremoves small dust particles and effectively prevents them from escapingfrom the exhaust air back into the room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is shown in the enclosed drawings, where

FIG. 1 shows the invented nozzle used as a conventional nozzle

FIG. 2 shows the invented nozzle used in accordance with the invention

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the ionization generator in the inventeddevice

FIG. 4 shows one construction of the central unit of a vacuum cleaner inaccordance with the invention

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the air flow through the air blower, the dustbag and through the filters and means of ionization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a nozzle (N), e.g. part of a vacuum cleaner. Nozzles ofvarious shapes and sizes are conventional equipment for a vacuumcleaner. The suction tubing (T) of a vacuum cleaner is joined to thenozzle (N) during operation, and air is sucked through the nozzle toclean a surface (SC). Generally T consists of a flexible and a rigidtube part, which can be of telescopic construction. The nozzle (N)directs the air flow from the SC. IG is a device for ionization whichgenerates a high voltage in the ionization electrode (IP) while in use.In FIG. 1 is shown a situation, when IP is not used. This situationcorresponds to the use of a nozzle according to known technology. Whenthe air flow goes under the nozzle it ionizes the surface SC and theitself. This mechanism is due to the differences in the dielectricconstants in the surface and the air. In practice wood, plastic andcloth are charged negatively, while air positively As dust and surface(SC) are of different material or mixed with air to various degrees,they are charged with charges of different size and the dust willtherefore stick tightly to the surface (SC) because of the effect ofstatic electricity. This has been proved in practice: it is extremelydifficult to remove fine dust from surfaces with a vacuum cleaner, itneeds wiping with a dampened cloth or similar material.

FIG. 2 shows the use of a nozzle in accordance with the invention. Theionization device (IG) while in operation and the high voltage itproduces will ionize the air with electrodes IP. The ionization of thenozzle occurs in the air flow EAF, which is arranged to occur through aspecial aperture W of the nozzle from ambient atmosphere. Through theeffect of the ionization the charges occurring on the surface (SC) areneutralized, and the fine dust is easily carried with the air flow tothe tube of the vacuum cleaner. The nozzle can the replaced, just as inknown vacuum cleaners. It has been thought that the design of thenozzles could improve the practicability of the device for various spotsto be cleaned.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the ionization device (IG): oscillator(OSC) produces an alternative current, which together with the voltagemultiplier (VM) generates a voltage of numerous kilovolts. This voltagein turn is conducted through the safety resistors (RP) to the ionizationelectrode (IP). Resistors (RP) are used to ensure the safety of theuser.

FIG. 4 shows one construction of the central unit of a vacuum cleaner inaccordance with the invention. The equipment of the motor pump (M) sucksair through the tubing (T) and dust bag (DC) and blows the air (AF)through a second ionization device (IGO) for the exhaust air filters(OIF) into the room. The central unit of a so-called central vacuumcleaner is similar, but the second ionization device IGO and the exhaustair filter OIF can be left out if the exhaust air need not be cleanedthoroughly.

The ionization device IG charges positively, and the exhaust air filterOIF is a Filter which has a conducting surface connected to negativevoltage. It is a known fact that air saturated with negative ions ishealthy, therefore the second ionization device IGO should be equippedto, ionize the AF negatively just before the exhaust air leaves thevacuum cleaner. Electrostatic filtering ensures the purity of theexhaust air. Ol is a ionization electrode, which is connected with theionization device IGO. When the AF goes through the Ol it will becomeionized with negative ions.

The air flow (AF) progress through the various filters and means ofionization is shown in FIG. 5. The figure also illustrates theconnection of the high voltage source of the ionizer to differentfilters, ionization device and voltages.

OIF can include a filter unit produced from thin metal foil, which isproduced from scrap metal. As filter material can also be used, e.g.paper containing carbon fibres, plastic with a conducting coating, etc.The filter can be a cassette having a frame and a filter part. The foilin the filter part can be fibrous and loosely packed, to let the airflow fairly smoothly penetrate after contacting a great area. Then thefilter is easy and cheap to manufacture and it could be made disposable.

The Filter could also be recycled, because it is easy to remove the dustattached.

Above illustrates as typical for the invention that it contains themeans IG, IP, which are placed to ionize the air before it gets intocontact with surface SC and then neutralizes the static electricitycharge which otherwise would have occurred. The ionization can be eitherpositive or negative, or both. A separate route could be arranged forthe air to be ionized before it contacts the surface SC.

Furthermore, the device invented can include the second ionization IGOintended for cleaning the exhaust air The IGO ionizes the exhaust airfilters OIF opposite the filter surfaces.

Furthermore, the device invented may include the additional device IGO,which also ionize the exhaust air AF negatively just before the airleaves the means OIF, for example into the room.

Furthermore, the means OIF may include a filter unit, which is meant tobe disposable. Advantageous is to use thin metal foil made from scrapmetal, and the filter unit can be recycled again.

Above is illustrated how the invention can be used in one way. Theinvention is not restricted to the above, but is can be utilized in manyother accomplishments within the limits of the invention defined by inthe enclosed patent claims.

I claim:
 1. A vacuum cleaning device with a flow of air which is to besucked by the device, including a central unit having a motor pump thatcauses suction of air flow, a nozzle and a suction tubing characterizedin that it includes an ionization device, at least part of the flow ofair for cleaning and which is generated by suction from said motor pumpthrough said tubing is to be ionized with said ionization device andsaid part of the flow of air is to be sucked through the range ofinfluence of said ionization device before said flow of air is to becontacted with the surface to be cleaned.
 2. A cleaning device as setforth in claim 1 characterized in that at least a part of saidionization device is placed in the nozzle.
 3. A cleaning device as setforth in claim 2, further characterized in that the nozzle may bedisconnected from the suction tubing.
 4. A cleaning device as set forthin claim 3 further characterized in that it includes another ionizationdevice for ionization of air to be exhausted.
 5. A cleaning device asset forth in claim 4 further characterized in that it includes a filterfor electrostatic filtering of air to be exhausted.
 6. A cleaning deviceas set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that said additionalionization device for ionization of air to be exhausted providesnegative ions.
 7. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 6 furthercharacterized in that said filter includes a replaceable filteringcomponent.
 8. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 1, furthercharacterized in that the nozzle may be disconnected from the suctiontubing.
 9. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 2 furthercharacterized in that it includes another ionization device forionization of air to be exhausted.
 10. A cleaning device as set forth inclaim 9 further characterized in that it includes a filter forelectrostatic filtering of air to be exhausted.
 11. A cleaning device asset forth in claim 10 further characterized in that said additionalionization device for ionization of air to be exhausted providesnegative ions.
 12. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 11 furthercharacterized in that said filter includes a replaceable filteringcomponent.
 13. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized in that it includes another ionization device forionization of air to be exhausted.
 14. A cleaning device as set forth inclaim 13 further characterized in that it includes a filter forelectrostatic filtering of air to be exhausted.
 15. A cleaning device asset forth in claim 14 further characterized in that said additionalionization device for ionization of air to be exhausted providesnegative ions.
 16. A cleaning device as set forth in claims 15 furthercharacterized in that said filter includes a replaceable filteringcomponent.
 17. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 1 furthercharacterized in that it includes an additional ionization device forionization of air to be exhausted with negative ions.
 18. A cleaningdevice as set forth in claim 14 further characterized in that saidfilter includes a replaceable filtering component.
 19. A cleaning deviceas set forth in claim 13 further characterized in that said filterincludes a replaceable filtering component.
 20. A cleaning device as setforth in claim 1 further characterized by:said at least part of the flowof air being ionized as it is sucked into said nozzle from ambientatmospheres through a separate aperture in said nozzle.
 21. A cleaningdevice as set forth in claim 20 further characterized by:said ionizationdevice includes an ionization electrode mounted at said separateaperture in said nozzle.
 22. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 21further characterized by:said aperture inclined to direct said at leastpart of the air flow downwardly to contact the surface to be cleaned.